After 4 days in Sapporo, we moved down south to Noboribetsu, for our ryokan and onsen experience.
We stayed at the Kashoutei Hanaya Ryokan, and we all got a Japanese room - for the authentic tatami, mattress on the floor experience.
After checking in, the first thing that we did was to go to the onsen, except for Nadine, who refused to join us. Even Aaron was gungho enough to try!
It was quite an experience showering in the communal bath (men and women are in separate areas thankfully). But it was so misty in there due to the high temperature that after a while, it didn't bother us. The onsen took more getting used to. It was so hot we had to ease ourselves in very very slowly. And I lasted only 15 min. Felt like I was being cooked.
The highlight after the onsen was the kaiseki-style dinner. It was such an elaborate dinner, and every dish was so exquisitely prepared and decorated. Even the children's meal was so sumptuous!
Stopped taking individual dish photos after this .... more interested in eating!
Initially, we were wondering if we'd be full as all the dishes had such small portions. But by the end of dinner, we were so stuffed!
And the next morning, breakfast was equally sumptuous!
After breakfast, we headed out to Jigokudani - Hell Valley. It lies just above Noboribetsu Onsen and has hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activities. It is the main source of Noboribetsu's hot spring waters.
I'm always amused by how Nadine likes to read sign boards and maps.
Next, we went to the Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, a history theme park highlighting the Edo Period.
We got to take photos with Samurais and Ninjas ...
learnt a bit of history about the Edo Period ...
took scenic photos
played games from the Edo Period ...
watched cultural performances that showcased life during the Edo Period ...
and received cookies from a Santa Cat, which was so random!
Both kids and adults enjoyed the park.
Back at the ryokan, we went to the onsen again, to warm ourselves after a cold day out. This time, Nadine agreed to try. It was quite an experience bathing together with her at the public bath, and dipping into the onsen together! Great mother-daughter bonding!
After onsen, it was another sumptuous kaiseki-style dinner.
We loved our ryokan-onsen experience. Next time we come back to Japan, we will definitely try again!
A farewell photo in front of the ryokan on the morning of our departure. Think the hotel staff that took this photo for us was shivering from the cold, that's why the photo turned out blur!
No comments:
Post a Comment